Sir Mark Sedwill Was Handed A Peerage And A Bumper Civil Service Pay-off When He Quit His Dual Role And Cleared The Way For Dominic Cummings Whitehall Shake-up

Sir Mark Sedwill was handed a peerage and a bumper civil service pay-off when he quit his dual role and cleared the way for Dominic Cummings' Whitehall shake-up. 
Britain's top civil servant, 55, last night confirmed he will step down as both Cabinet Secretary and national security adviser in September, after more than 30 years in Government service.   
Sir Mark's departure comes just days after Mr Cummings is reported to have told Government advisers 'a hard rain is coming' to Whitehall - an apparent reference to the radioactive showers that follow a nuclear blast.  
He is said to have advised Mr Johnson to sack the former diplomat at the end of last month following clashes over the scale and tour hồ ba bể từ hà nội timing of the planned overhaul.
But Mr Johnson and Sir Mark finalised his departure at a private lunch on June 2, and agreed to try to paint the departure as amicable. 
Bob Kerslake, a former head of the Civil Service, along with the civil servants' union accused Number 10 'or those around it' of working to 'undermine' the ex-diplomat.
Speaking to the Guardian, Lord Kerslake said: tour thác bản giốc 'I fear from some of the press briefing that had obviously gone on that the Civil Service is being made the fall guy for mistakes made in the handling of the pandemic.'
Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA, which represents public officials, said: 'No 10, or those around it, has sought to undermine Sir Mark and the leadership of the civil service, with a series of anonymous briefings against him over many months.' He blasted the tactics as 'corrosive and cowardly' and said the Government would be 'weaker as a result' of the departure.  
Sir Mark Sedwill (middle with Boris Johnson left) said it had been 'a privilege to serve' as he announced he will stand down from both roles in September, after over 30 years in Government service
It comes as Dominic Cummings, the PM's chief aide, prepares to take an axe to the Civil Service after the coronavirus exposed 'fundamental' flaws in the government machine
'I am fortunate to have served in some of the most challenging and rewarding jobs in national and international public service under seven prime ministers and in extraordinary times,' Sir Mark said in a letter to Mr Johnson today
As well as a good civil service pay-off, Sir Mark has been given a peerage and a role leading a panel on global economic security ahead of next year's G7 summit in the UK.
Mr Johnson is also said to have indicated he is open to backing Sir Mark's ambition to become the next head of Nato when Jens Stoltenberg steps down in 2022.   
Sir Mark will be replaced as national security adviser by David Frost, currently the UK's chief Brexit negotiator - and a close ally of Mr Cummings. 
Government sources confirmed the decision marks a 'hard deadline' for the Brexit trade talks, which resume in Brussels on Monday.

Sources said Mr Johnson was clear a deal had to be agreed before Mr Frost moves to his new role in September. 
Recruitment of a new Cabinet Secretary will start immediately, kynghidongduong.vn but candidates will be limited to acting and former permanent secretaries.
Prince William's private secretary Simon Case, who is on secondment to Number 10, starts the race as favourite - although sources said it would be an open competition.
The role is one of the most senior positions in the British constitution, with the incumbent responsible for relations between Government and the Queen.  
In a letter to Mr Johnson, Sir Mark said: 'Two years ago, when my predecessor fell ill, your predecessor asked me to step in as Cabinet Secretary, and you asked me to continue to support you through Brexit and the election period.
'It was obviously right to stay on for the acute phase of the Covid-19 crisis.

As you are setting out this week, the Government's focus is now shifting to domestic and global recovery and renewal.' 
The Prime Minister, who will give a speech laying out his blueprint for economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, praised the outgoing public servant for his 'outstanding' work. 
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'It has been by any standards a massive contribution - but as PM I have particularly appreciated your calm and shrewd advice,' he wrote to Sir Mark in his responding letter. 
Announcing Mr Frost's new position, Mr Johnson said: 'I have asked David to help me deliver this Government's vision for Britain's place in the world and to support me in reinvigorating our national security architecture and ensuring that we deliver for the British people on the international stage.' 
Sir Mark's exit from Downing Street is likely to be part of a wider overhaul of how the Cabinet Office and Civil Service functions, with Mr Johnson breaking up the roles of Cabinet Secretary and NSA. 
Sir Mark was appointed National Security Adviser by Theresa May in 2017 and made Cabinet Secretary a year later.

He was permitted to keep both jobs despite criticism.   
Sir Mark was appointed National Security Adviser by Theresa May in 2017 and made Cabinet Secretary a year later.

He was allowed to do both jobs despite criticism 
The Prime Minister thanked Sir Mark for his 'outstanding service' after taking over as Cabinet Secretary in 'tragic circumstances' as he rewarded him with a life peerage
The FDA accused 'No 10 - or those around it' of seeking to 'undermine Sir Mark and the leadership of the civil service, with a series of anonymous briefings against him over many months'. 
<div class="art-ins mol-factbox floatRHS news" data-version="2" id="mol-a32ddeb0-b986-11ea-9b36-99ef0065d7ab" website Service chief Sir Mark Sedwill QUITS